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Reimold exits game early with shoulder soreness

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SARASOTA, Fla. -- Nolan Reimold hit his first home run of the spring on Friday afternoon, but exited the game after just two innings with right shoulder soreness.

Reimold, who had last season cut short with neck surgery, has been a full-go in Orioles camp, although the strength in his left arm is still coming back. He remained on the bench after being replaced by Jason Pridie in the top of the third inning until the rest of the team's starters exited.

"Today was the first day he kind of told us it was a little sore and he didn't feel comfortable throwing," manager Buck Showalter said of Reimold. "He didn't want to continue throwing, especially in the cold weather. He told us that before he hit the home run, so it didn't bother him in the swing."

Starting in left field for the third game this spring, Reimold hit a two-run shot off Pirates right-hander James McDonald, which cleared the picnic area in left field, for his first hit in the second inning.

"It's real encouraging to him," Showalter said of Reimold's homer. "Nolan has been having some good [batting practice sessions] and everything, so it doesn't come as a surprise. You could tell he was pretty [excited], probably made coming out of the game feeling a little bit better. They were kidding him about being a full-time DH anyway, don't worry about it. Somebody did, anyway. I shouldn't say they."

Given that it's not the side related to Reimold's neck surgery, Showalter said he didn't think Friday's soreness was a major issue and he let him get a second-inning at-bat after head athletic trainer Richie Bancells informed him of what was going on.

"[He said] Nolan's shoulder is barking some, it only bothers him when he throws," Showalter said. "Said he'd rather not take a chance on it to make a couple throws. But we will see what tomorrow brings."